Exam 1: Feline Behavior Flashcards
Cat genetic ancestors
African Wild Cat
Felis silvestris lybica
Can cats interbreed with African wild cats
Yes, DNA nearly identical
Are cats truly domesticated
No
More like tame
Definition of domesticated
Genetic modification, breeding, care, and reproduction totally controlled by human and producing reproductively isolated population
Define taming
Behavioral modification of wild born animal so that it accepts humans
When do cats hunt
Dawn and dusk
The predator stance
Ears forward
Low to ground, muscles tensed
May shift weight between back feet, readying to pounce
How many meals do cats need
7-20 small prey meals throughout day
Where do they get most of water from
prey
How much water do they need
5-10 oz. per day
30-60 tsps. per day
How many laps of water do they need
1 lap = 0.03 tsps.
Need 1000-2000 laps per day
How many pieces of kibble equals 1 mouse
1 mouse = 30 kcal
about 10 pieces of kibble = 1 mouse
How much water do they need to drink if on canned diet
Canned food has 70-80% water
Need to drink additional <1 oz. water per day
How much water do they need to drink if on dry diet
Dry food has 7-10% water
Need to drink >7 oz. additional water per day
That = 1500 laps of water per day
Cat eyesight
Large, prominent eyes
Vision in low light due to receptors
Sensitive to movement
Good depth and peripheral vision
Cat auditory
Similar to bats
Can hear rodent communications
Large mobile ears
Can distinguish between individual human voices
Cat taste
Cats do not have sugar receptors
Whiskers
Guard hairs
Vibrissae
Olfaction and communication
Scent glands of face, feet, anogenital, mammary
Vomeronasal organ - pheromones, flehmen response
Pheromones detected by?
Vomeronasal (Jacobson’s) organ
Vomeronasal organ
Humans one of only mammals without one
Special receiver organ involved in pheromone reception
Where do pheromones achieve their effect
Amygdala
Will cats fight or flight
Cats will choose flight
Better at escape than defense
Genetics and temperment
Coat color correlation with aggression
Bold father has bold kittens
Friendly father has friendly kittens who are quicker to approach, touch, and rub humans
Sensitive period in socilization
Weeks 2-8
Can kittens be removed from mom before 6 weeks old
NO
Kittens will be suspicious and aggressive
Normal cat behaviors
Sleeping (70% of time) Stretching Grooming Exploration Physical and mental exercise Play Scratch Eating Litterbox behaviors Social animals Good at hiding pain, illness, etc.
